DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

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1 DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW Widener University invites nominations and applications for the Dean of the School of Business Administration, an important position of academic leadership as the institution continues to build a dynamic new team for its next round of strategic planning. The Dean is the chief administrative officer of the School, serves as one of eight deans on the Deans Council, the Provost s Council, and the President s Senior Leadership Team, reports directly to the Provost, and is the official liaison between the school s faculty and the Provost. Widener s School of Business Administration is AACSB-accredited. Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, Carnegie-classified doctoral university, connects curricula to societal issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. The university s robust diversity agenda embodies the values of access, inclusion, academic excellence, innovation, and leadership. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, Widener s main campus is located between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with additional campuses in Exton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. THE UNIVERSITY University Background. Widener University is distinctive in having evolved in four stages from a preparatory school to a military academy, to a traditional college, and finally to a university. Following its founding in 1821, the institution had several changes in location, finally moving to Chester in The name Pennsylvania Military Academy was taken in 1892, and the institution became Widener College in In 1979, to reflect its addition of graduate and professional programs, Widener College became Widener University. During the next two decades, Widener University continued to grow with the establishment of the Harrisburg campus in 1988 for the School of Law and the Exton campus in 2004, serving Continuing Studies students and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Today, after nearly 200 years of change and evolution, the university s core

2 values stand as respectful legacy to its past in preparing young men and women to become citizens of character who can become effective leaders in a global society. New Strategic Plan. The university completed a 10-year strategic plan last year under the leadership of Widener s ninth president, James T. Harris, III now in the 13 th year of his presidency. Unit-specific goals and objectives are now to be developed within the framework of the university s overall strategic plan, Vision Therefore, the new Dean of the School of Business Administration has the opportunity to lead the shaping of the school s strategic plan, to complement the overall plan for the university. Vision. As a preeminent metropolitan university, Widener aspires to be a dynamic, inclusive academic community, transforming students into scholars, leaders, and globally engaged citizens. Mission. The Widener University mission is achieved by creating a learning environment where curricula are connected to societal issues through civic engagement. The university: Leads by providing a unique combination of liberal arts and professional education in a challenging, scholarly, and culturally diverse academic community. Engages students through dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning. Inspires students to be citizens of character who demonstrate professional and civic leadership. Contributes to the vitality and well-being of the communities served. Widener pursues its mission by placing the university s values experiential learning, community engagement, and career preparation at the center of every program offered. A solid liberal arts and sciences core is the foundation for all undergraduate programs. These values are complemented by leadership programs which help students to develop competency, character, and courage. Main Campus. Widener s Main Campus is located on a 110-acre site in the city of Chester, only 20 minutes from Philadelphia. Widener s location in metropolitan Philadelphia offers students vast opportunities to work and learn in a variety of organizations, businesses, and research facilities. Widener University s civic engagement efforts in the city of Chester have been recognized by publications such as Newsweek and Washington Monthly. The federal government has also used Widener as a case study on the positive impact colleges and universities can have in stabilizing and improving the nation's struggling communities. A 2013 report out of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of University Partnership chronicles Widener's transformation into one of the nation's leading civic engagement institutions. It highlights such initiatives as the Widener Partnership Charter School, the growth of the university's service-learning 2

3 courses, the university's strong relationship with city government, the role that the faculty have played in promoting civic engagement, and the university's role as an anchor institution in the White House s Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative involving only six urban communities in the country. In 2013, Widener was named a finalist for the President s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Presidential award one of only 14 institutions in the nation to receive that honor. The university has made the honor roll every year since its inception in The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching chose Widener University in 2006 as one of only 76 institutions in the nation to qualify for its "community engagement" classification, and the university has maintained that classification in subsequent reviews by the foundation. Academic Programs. Widener s academic programs include over 60 undergraduate majors and minors (associate and baccalaureate degrees) and offer graduate and professional degrees (master s and/or doctorate) in Business Administration, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, Engineering, Higher Education, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Sexuality, Law, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Public Administration, and Social Work. Also offered are degree and certificate options for adult undergraduates, corporate programs for working professionals, and degree preparation programs for international students. A total of approximately 6,000 students are enrolled in Widener s programs. The university s academic programs are offered through eight units: College of Arts & Sciences School of Engineering School of Nursing School of Business Administration School of Law School of Hospitality Management School of Human Service Professions School of Education, Innovation, and Continuing Studies In addition to the formal academic programs, Widener offers leadership programming through the Oskin Leadership Institute, the Bonner Leader Program, and the Presidential Service Corps. Now in its tenth sold-out season, Widener University sponsors the Philadelphia Speakers Series, which offers annual subscribers the opportunity to spend an evening with Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders, statesmen, distinguished journalists, authors and other celebrated personalities. The university often hosts Speakers Series guests on campus prior to their nighttime lecture in Philadelphia. Accreditation. Widener is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and all of its professional programs are accredited by the most prestigious accrediting body for the profession. For the School of Business Administration, these accrediting bodies include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). 3

4 For more information about the university, please visit the website at SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Widener's School of Business Administration (SBA) offers a choice of six undergraduate majors: Accounting, Business Informatics, Economics, Finance, International Business, and Management. Students may also pursue specialized concentrations in the fields of financial services, human resource management, marketing, operations management and sports management within their major. All business majors include a core series of courses consisting of economics, accounting, statistics, law, management information systems, finance, international business, operations management, management theory, marketing, and management policy. In addition, students may pursue specialized concentrations to help earn professional certification credentials. The current enrollment in the School s undergraduate programs is approximately 475 students. The School offers an Honors Program for talented students and opportunities for special projects and for study abroad to destinations such as China, Costa Rica and Spain. Qualified students can attend specialized graduate courses in their senior year or pursue an accelerated study track to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in only five years. Scholarships are available for select students, and there is the opportunity to participate in a number of business-related student groups. There are options available for qualified students in all majors to complete their bachelor s degrees in three years by registering for extra credits in most semesters and or summers. Leadership development workshops are offered in selected business courses with the option to earn Widener s leadership certificate LEADERworks from the Oskin Leadership Institute. Master s programs are offered in five areas: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare MBA, Master of Science in Business Process Innovation, Master of Science in Taxation and Financial Planning, and Master of Science in Forensic Accounting and Analytics. The School s graduate enrollment currently stands at approximately 150 students. There are also a number of dual degree programs: JD/MBA with School of Law; MJ/MBA with School of Law; MEng/MBA with School of Engineering; MD/MBA- HCM with Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; PsyD/MBA with Graduate Clinical Psychology; and PsyD/MBA-HCM with Graduate Clinical Psychology. The School of Business Administration prepares students for successful careers and leadership positions in business. The program motivates students to learn, inspires them to be responsible citizens, and develops their career potential through rigorous highimpact educational practices, including service learning courses and other experiential learning opportunities. Widener provides a challenging educational environment that promotes lifelong professional and personal growth. 4

5 The School provides undergraduate students with applied experience in the form of both internships and cooperative (co-op) positions. Its location provides access to many major companies where students can learn on the job. They can experience working at one of the many Philadelphia area major sport clubs or grow their accounting or finance skills through an internship or a co-op placement with one of the accounting and finance company partners. In selected courses, industry partners join the School as team teachers and guest speakers to share their on-the-job experiences with students. The School encourages and supports students in stretching their horizons beyond the campus. As a part of the SBA honors program, students have the opportunity for an international trip in their junior year which underscores the importance of understanding the world economy and interacting in the global business community. Recent trips have included Costa Rica and Spain. The Money Club travels to New York to explore the Stock Exchange and gains practical experience by participating in the student-managed investment fund. Many students also travel to participate in scholastic competitions with other universities to enhance their presentation skills. Widener s Small Business Development Center provides one-on-one consulting services and a series of educational programs and seminars to new and existing businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania. As such, it provides a variety of opportunities for undergraduate business students to gain hands-on experience in working with local businesses. For example, students in their senior year team up with center consultants and help emerging and growing entrepreneurs with their business and marketing plans. SBA graduate programs are designed to guide students through the philosophies of business and give them the practical competencies to meet real-world challenges. Flexible programs are offered in evenings and on weekends to meet the needs of working professionals and full-time students. The recently revised MBA focuses on managing innovation, sustainability, people, and processes. It is offered on campus and online. The Health Care MBA prepares students for pivotal roles in health care administration. The MS in Taxation and Financial Planning is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board, allowing graduates to sit for the CFP examination. The MS in Forensic Accounting and Analytics equips students with the advanced knowledge and skills for the growing arena of financial investigations and fraud detection. The MS in Business Process Innovation prepares students to manage the cross-functional processes in organizations at all levels from operations through strategy and innovation. Widener s Master of Science in Taxation and Financial Planning is one of the few programs in the nation that permit students to qualify to sit for the Certified Financial Planning Exam at the completion of their studies. Widener is among select business programs accredited by the AACSB International. After the last accreditation visit, the peer review team reported that at Widener University there is an outstanding student-faculty environment where students feel that they are clearly the focus of faculty efforts, where close interpersonal relations with faculty are easy for students to develop, and where students feel totally comfortable in a nurturing, yet challenging school environment. 5

6 LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DEAN Changing Environment. There is a rapidly changing environment for business education that some would call a new reality, involving technology, alternative delivery systems, industry partnerships, globalization, and more. The new dean has the leadership opportunity to be a trend-setter in moving Widener closer to the forefront of these developments and in introducing other innovations. Enrollment and Competition. With respect to admissions and enrollment, Widener exists in a very challenging environment consisting of thirty-five competing business programs within just a twenty-five mile radius. The intense competition has put downward pressure on both graduate and undergraduate enrollments. Strong enrollment is crucial to the School s future, and creative leadership is necessary to strengthen Widener s market position and grow its market share. The new dean has the opportunity to enhance the School s brand recognition beyond its current market through novel and imaginative approaches. The new dean will also play a central role in fundraising in support of the strategic goals of Vision 2021 and in cultivating partnerships with industry leaders and the alumni community to advance the School s profile. Student Outcomes and Placement. An essential component of and contributor to strong enrollment is high performance in student outcomes and job placement. Through strong alignment with the office of Career Services, strengthened relationships with local and regional businesses, expansion of industry partnerships, and a more global perspective, Widener can be a more prominent educational partner for employers in an expanded geographical area. Curricular and Pedagogical Balance. There are several dimensions along which it is important for the School to achieve a balanced approach to education. The imperatives of an excellent education in business can at times be difficult to align with the university s civic engagement mission. Likewise, current trends toward increased online education can sometimes appear to conflict with the ideals of a personalized education, at the heart of Widener s approach. The new dean will need to demonstrate how the School can become a leader in making civic engagement central to business education and in providing online and hybrid instruction that is a model of personalized instruction. Faculty Relations. The faculty of the School of Business are primarily at the senior stage of their careers and have a wealth of experience to contribute to the strengthening of the School s programs and enrollment appeal. It will be important for the new dean to engage and motivate the faculty with a new sense of mission by recognizing the breadth of their skills, valuing their contributions, and assembling them into working groups that can achieve more than can be accomplished by individual efforts. The new dean will also need to promote the continued professional development of all faculty members, particularly in relation to innovative approaches incorporating sustainability, technology, civic engagement, and other high-impact educational practices. The new dean is also expected to lead the faculty in developing community-based scholarship and research and 6

7 in maintaining the current level of discipline-based research through the identification of additional resources to support these activities. Alumni Involvement. Alumni of Widener s business programs are loyal to the university and grateful for its contribution to their careers. The dean has the opportunity to capitalize on their dedication through increasing and making more consistent their involvement in new student recruitment, in job placement of graduates, in cultivating their philanthropic support of the school s priorities, and in the revision of the curriculum in response to changes in the business world. School Role in the University. As one of the earlier established units of the university, the School of Business Administration is an integral part of Widener s commitment to professional education and is expected to play a major contributing role in the university s strategic plan. The new dean is expected to be a full partner with fellow deans and with the president and provost and other senior administrators in charting the future of the institution. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES FOR THE DEAN The successful candidate for Dean of the School of Business Administration will be an accomplished leader, bringing a combination of professional experiences and accomplishments and personal capabilities that will enable him or her to address the opportunities and the challenges that exist for the School. In addition to such expected personal characteristics as honesty, integrity, high moral and ethical character, and the stamina for the rigors of the office, the following qualifications are expected: Academic Credentials: an earned Ph.D. or terminal degree in a field relevant to one of the School s degree programs. Also expected is evidence of excellence as a teacher and scholar consistent with appointment as a full professor at Widener. Professional Experience and Accomplishments: successful administrative experience and resulting expertise in leadership and management of academic programs at educational levels comparable to those offered in the School. It is desired that this experience will include the following: Mission: accomplishments consistent with Widener s vision and mission, including a history of involvement in civic engagement that will provide a basis for connecting the School to the local and global community; Strategic Thinking: demonstrated ability to envision and plan the future of an organization, through creative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, anticipation of societal needs, pedagogical innovations, program development, global engagement and creative use of technology; Fundraising: a record of accomplishment as a fundraiser in business and alumni communities or through work with foundations to support scholarships, endowed professorships, research, and strategic initiatives. 7

8 Organization and Delegation: ability to organize and manage a highly effective faculty and administrative team, delegating responsibilities wisely, expressing expectations clearly, and holding faculty and staff colleagues accountable; Communication: history of valuing and modeling regular communication with various School constituencies, both internal and external to the university and both academic and business-related; Student Orientation: demonstrated ability to foster a culture in which student success is central to the School s operation; Faculty Collaboration: record of working closely with faculty in optimizing the value of their interactions with students, in recognizing the work of faculty colleagues, and in showing appreciation for their contributions; Constituency Relations: skill at working productively and collaboratively with institutional bodies such as advisory boards, administrative leadership groups within the university, and external stakeholders such as industry partners, regional employers, professional bodies, donors, and alumni groups; Accreditation and Assessment: knowledge of and successful experience with AACSB and regional higher education accreditation processes and the self-studies and assessment efforts that accompany them; and Commitment to Diversity: demonstrated leadership in recruiting a diverse faculty and staff, serving a diverse student body, and promoting the value of diversity in all of its manifestations in academic settings. Personal Qualities: Vision: a bold appetite for strategically-focused change and the strength and courage to enlist and empower others in the enterprise; Inspiration: the energy, dynamism, and passion that motivates a community to achieve great things; Teamwork: a commitment to collaboration and consensus-building, including the ability to listen carefully, to be firm yet transparent and collegial, and to be a natural unifier, and team-builder; People skills: the ability to engage effectively with others across a range of settings and audiences, ranging from one-on-one conversations to donor-centered engagements and major public speeches; Communication: a natural eloquence and comfort in speaking and writing regardless of the circumstances and the audience. Leadership: the ability to engage and obtain the support of key external and internal stakeholders. PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately, and nominations and expressions of interest will be welcomed until an appointment is made. The appointee is expected to take office in July Applications received by November 19, 2014 will be assured of full consideration; these should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and names of five professional references with addresses and telephone numbers. 8

9 Calls to references will occur only later in the search process and only with prior notification of candidates. All submissions will be treated in confidence and should be sent electronically (MS Word format preferred) to: The search committee is assisted by: Dr. R. Stanton Hales, Senior Consultant Academic Search, Inc Widener University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages excellence through diversity. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. EOE M/F/V/D 9